Liquid filling machine



Juan. 2, 194. C, KRAUS r AL 2,85,201

LIQUID FILLING MACHINE vm c. W EYSa-um ,c-...lq A. l ATTCRNEY Jain. 2, 19M. c. RAUS Er A1. 2,185,201

LIQUID FILLING MACHINE c. KRAus ET A1.

LIQUID FILLING MACHINE Filed may' 9, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 U INVENTORS 2 194. Q KRAUS Er AL 2,185,201

LIQUID FILLING MACHINE Jan. 2, 1940. KRAUS Er A2,155,201

LIQUID FILLING MACHINE Filed May 9, 1936 S Sheets-Sheet 5 "nl ,iff 285 A,267 266 VWG, C. H SYM 0. g Cb M ATTORNEY Jan. 2, 1940. C, KRUS ET 2,185,201

Y LIQUID FILLING MACHINE v Filed May 9, 195e l 6 sheets-sheet s Eg-.16 h Eg-.1@ /1 209 ,4J/55522 Patented Jan. 2, 1940 UNITED `STATES PATENT oFFlcE LIQUID rfiLuNG MACHINE New Jersey Application May 9, 1936, Serial No. 78,916 I i claims. v(cl. 22e-#97) The present invention relates broadly to the filling of containers with measured quantities of liquid and has particular reference to piston and cylinder measuring elements for liquid lling machines by means of which more accurate measuring of the liquid charges is obtained with the minimum of and the simplicity in the moving parts to effect such measuring.

The present invention contemplates the association, in a liquid lling machine, of high speed can feeding and handling devices and accurate quick acting piston and valve mechanism which cooperate in definite time relation to provide for the successive presentation of cans to be filled 16 and for uniform and accurate filling of the cans with measured liquid charges and for subsequent release or removal of the lled cans from the machine, all of rthe operations being automatic and providing for quick and accurate filling without 20- spilling.

The invention also contemplates, as an added feature in such apparatus, the removal by suction of any extraneous drops or drips of liquid from the iilling elements.

An object of the invention is the provision of a liquid filling apparatus for automatically and accurately conditioning a can to be lled while advancing it through a filling cycle in which an accurate measured quantity of liquid is dis.` charged from a measuring chamber, such filling however taking place only in the event that there is a can in proper. position to be filled, the filling cycle also including blocking off of any further ow of extraneous or surplus liquidv and thus preventing dripping of the liquid from the filling elements.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of the character described which utilizes a series of lling units, each unit including a measuring cylinder and discharge piston and all of these units are so timed in their operations as to allow for a number of cans in different stages of filling, this arrangement permitting an unrestricted successive entrance of empty cans into the machine and an lmrestrlcted flow of lled cans therefrom.

Another object of the invention is the provision of can holding lingers in such a iillingmachine which are adapted to hold in proper accurate filling position even a tall small diameter can and a can fairly light in weight as for example a lbre body can which may also have relatively fragile or resilient walls which require special care in handling. f

Yet another object is the provision in such a liquid filling machine of a measuring chamber and piston construction in which the supplying of each chamber with liquid effects the moving of its piston and through such movement the measurement and discharge of the liquid from o one end of the chamber, other liquid at the same ytime passing into another part of the chamber so that the chamber is never empty notwithstanding vthe repeated measurement and discharge of liquid going into the cans being filled. 10

Still another object of the inventionis the provision of a lling machine having a reservoir and a plurality of measuring chambers, each chamber being associated with a movable valve member which functions to provide for or cut ofi the flow 15 of liquid from the reservoir to the chamber, the valve members alsocontrolling the flow of liquid from the measuring chambers into the cans.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it isl better under- 20 stood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment .in Fig. '1; I

Fig. 3 is a plan sectional view taken substantially along the line 3 3 in Fig. 2 and illustrating the passage of cans through the machine, 35 parts being broken away;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail of the can feed-in device as viewed substantially along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3; .Fig. 5 is a-fragmentary plan view of a part` of 40 the can feed-in device and associated can receiving parts of the apparatus, this View illustrating a different position of cans from that disclosed in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially 45 along the line 6-6 in Fig. 3 and illustrating the entrance into and the discharge from the apparatus, respectively, of empty and lled cans and also showing parts of a no-can-no-ll de- 50 vice;

Fig. 'l is a plan sectional detail taken substantially along the line 1-1 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevation of one oi.'l the lling units of the machine as viewed from a posi- 55 and-dash line 8-8 in Fig;l 1;

Figs. 9 and 10 are similar viewsof'the lower.

part of the mechanism disclosed in Fig. 8 showing different positions of the movable elements;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the broken line lI-l I in Fig. 1 and illustrating the filling of a can with liquid;

Figs. 12 and 13 are sectional plan and transverse sectional views of the mechanism illustrated in the upper part of Fig. 11, Fig. 12 being taken substantially along the line l2--I2 in that figure and Fig. 13 being taken substantially along the broken line I3-I3 in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a sectional View of the discharge valve chamber this being drawn to slightly larger scale but showing some of the same parts as are shown to the right of Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a sectional detail taken substantiallyalong the line I-I5 of Fig. 14; and

Figs. 16 to 21, inclusive, are sectional details of one of the valve mechanisms showing its relation to an associated measuring chamber, the

ing this travel that each can receives its measured charge of liquid. Relatively tall and small diameter cans a are selected by way of illustration in `the drawings as such a shape of can is more diflicult to feed and fill, this type of can being formed with a bre body wall and a metal bottom. Such a can is also light in weight and for this reason 1s more subject to tipping or getting out of alignment. 'Ihe special provisions for holding the can m proper position at all times are a. feature of the instant apparatus as will be hereinafter fully discussed.

The cans a are brought into the machine on a conveyor unit broadly designated by the letter b and as best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 the cans move in processional order into the filling machine. From the conveyor unit, the cans pass onto a stationary platform or table of the machine proper, this platform being broadly indicated by the letter c. The cans are moved along this plat' form during theiilling operation.

The walls of the fibre can a are more or less flexible and provision is lmade to prevent denting the body wall which includes accurately timing the stationary platform c. In the timing action the entire row of cans 'on the conveyor b is momentarily held back until the -turret pocket isin proper can receiving position, the timing device being broadly designated by the letter e (Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6).

Just after a can has been deposited in the revolving turret member d it actuates a can trip device best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and designated broadly bythe letter f. 'I'he can trip device operates as a no-can-no-ll unit and this insures that the necessary setting be made for certain machine parts associated with the filling of the can.

tion graphically indicated by the circular dot-l The turret member d supports a central storage reservoir y in which the liquid for iilling the cans is forced under pressure. The bre can under consideration'is well adapted to hold lubricating oil and when filling such oil cans, this oil would constitute the liquid forced under pressure into the reservoir. A series of measuring chambers h are disposed concentrically with and are arranged above and extend beyond the outer edge of the turret member. The filling head and chambers move with and are carried by the turret member and when a can has been located within a pocket of the turret it is in correct illling position relative to its associated measuring chamber.

A head valve i is a part of each filling head unit and is associated with each measuring chamber. In one position the valve permits communication between the reservoir g and one end of the corresponding measuring chamber h.. In another position the opposite end of the chamber connects with the reservoir and there are positions when all communications age cut off. Figs. 16 to 21, inclusive, illustrate in detail these various positions of the head valve and these will be referred to in proper sequence in the description which follows. Each head valve :i is controlled by valve actuating instrumentalities Ic (Figs. 2, 8, 9 and 19) which in turn operate in accordance with certain settings of the can trip device f.

The head valve :i is also used in directing a measured charge of lubricating oil or otherv liquid from the measuring chamber into the can during the lling. This passage of liquid is not directly f-rom the head valve y' into the can but by way of a discharge valve chamber l (Figs. 11 and 14) which is associated with each can lling head. Y g

A can valve m is located in each of the discharge valve .chambers l and cooperates V'withthe more accurate and uniform filling ofthe can.

ency therefor of an adhering excess liquid to drip from the lling head -is-prevented with a resulting clean and clear-cut filling operation.

After a can has been lled it is swept from the stationary table c by a discharge device designated broadly A by the letter p (Fig. 3).

e apparatus is carried by a mainrstationary frame 2| (Fig- 2) which is centrally formed'as a circular projection: 22 near the top of the frame.

The stationary platform or table c is carried on and bolted 'to the frame 2|. This platform or table takes the form of a'circular plate 23 which is provided with a central hub section 24. 'Ihis hub nts over the frame extension 22 and is bolted to the frame. Frame extension 22 is projected upwardly as a support sleeve-25 (Figs. 2 and 3) which carries the turret member d, the reservoir a and the filling heads with their measuring chambers h and their valves 7' and m.

'I'he sleeve 25 terminates in an enlarged capsection 26 -on which the filling heads, turret member and reservoir frame parts move. The body or frame portion of the filling head units includes a central housing 21 Aformed with a top web 28 which rests and rotates directly on the frame sleeve cap 26. Reservoir a is located above Asion 22 and at its top is bolted to the bottom of the housing 21. The casing 3| also surrounds the support sleeve 25,

'The casing 3| is formed. as an integral part with spaced horizontal upper and lower turret discs 32 and 33 in which are formed the pockets for receiving and holding the cans as will be fully described after first considering the feedingin of the cans. r

'Ihe can timing device e which first functions before the can a is put into the machine comprises an endless conveyor belt 4| (Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 6). At the machine end this belt passes over a pulley 42 which is mounted for rotation on a.

thebelt 4| and rst pass between feed table sidev guides 45 (Figs. 1 and 3). At the inner end of the table the cans come between the end of a horizontal lower circular guide rail 46 (seen at the right in Fig. 6) and a relatively short guide plate 41 (see also Fig. 4). Only the end of the lower circular guide rail is disposed near the table 44. This lower rail surrounds a large portion of the cans circular path through the apparatus. A horizontal upper circular guide rail 48 is spaced above the lower rail.

The two circular rails 46, 48 are practically the same size and extent, the lowerrail being used to guide the can nearits bottom end and the upper rail being used to guide the top of the can. Further details of their supports, etc., will be given later,

The feed table end of the guide rail 46 is bolted at 49 (Fig. 6) to the table 44. In a similar mannerv the plate 41 is bolted at 56 to the opposite side of the feed table. The cans after leaving the side guides 45 are thus held in proper line by the members 46, 41 and while still on the belt 4| the rst'can in the line moves against a curved arm 6| (Figs. 3, 4 and 6) which also constitutesk a part of the can timing device e.

Arm 5| is formed on the forward end of a vertically disposed plate 52 (Fig. 6) which is provided on one side with a T-slot 53. This construction permits a slidable mounting of the plate on va T-shape block section 54 formed in the guide plate 41. The varm 5| holds back the line of cans until it is time for a can to enter into a pocket'of the turret member d. Fig. 5 shows the retracted position of the arm. This timing of the arm is effected through the medium of certain control devices illustrated in detail in Figs. 6 and 7.

A boss 51 is formed as an integral part of the plate 52 and is located adjacent the bottom edge and on its inner side. A pin 58 is carried in the boss and engages Within a slot 59 of a bell crank lever 6U (Figs. 6 and 7) mounted for oscillation on a stud 6| carried in ahorizontal web part 62 of the frame 2|.

The bell crank lever 60 is also slotted at 63, this being on the other arm of the lever from that containing the slot 59. `A pin 64 operates in the slot 63 and is carried on one end of a slide rod 65 which is mounted for sliding movement in a. block 66 carried upon and bolted to the frame web 62.

The rod 65 at the end opposite to the pin 64 carries a second pin 61 on which a cam roller 68 operates.

A spring 69 is located in the block 66and bears against a head formed on the forward end of the rod 65. This construction normally holds the cam roller 68 against the 'face of a peripheral cam 1| which is mounted uponand carried by a vertical shaft 12. The shaft is rotated in any suitable manner in proper time with the movement of the turret member d and is journaled ln bearings 13, 14 formed respectively in the frame web 62 and in a spider Web frame 15 associated with the discharge device p. Frame 15 is secured rigidly to the main frame being formed with a lug 16 which engages a similar lug 11 formed on the frame webI 62, a bolt 18 locking these parts together.

When `the 'turret member d comes into proper position to receive a `can from the timing device e that section of the peripheral surface of the cam 1| which is presented to the roller 68, slopes inwardly or toward the center of the shaft 12 and this allows the spring 69 to shift the parts just described. The arm 5| accordingly moves forward to the position shown in Figs. 1 and v3. The foremost can in the line is lthen just in front of an advancing pocket moving forward with' the rotating turret member d.

The turret member being composed of two turret discs 32, 33, provides a double `can pocket which is formed by two spaced vertically aligned pocket spaces. In other words each turret pocket comprises an upper pocket space 8| (Fig. l) and a lower pocket space 82 (Fig. 3) formed in the peripheries of the upper and lower turret discs. Outward projections 83, 84 of the turret discs provide the rear walls for the pocket spaces 8|, 82 and during a single rotation of the turret member each pair of projections moves into engage-- ment with a can, when one is positioned against the arm 5| of the feed-in conveyor devices, and thenslides the can over the support plate 23 and around a circular path of travel. Fig. 2 shows a can in its pocket and supported by the plate 23.

A tubular shaft 85 is disposed centrally of the frame sleeve 25 and is utilized to move the lling heads, the turret member and parts associated therewith. It is provided at its upper end with a flange 86 which rests upon and is bolted to the web 28 of the filling head housing 21. The tubular shaft 85 extends down through the frame section 22 and into a gear chamber 88 enclosed within the frame 2|. A gear 89 may be secured on the lower end of the shaft. Such construction exemplies broadly the idea of actuating means for rotating the shaft and through it the other movable parts of the apparatus.

At its extreme lower end, the shaft 85 passes througna bearing 9| formed in the upper end of a liquid tight housing 92 which is an integral part of the apparatus frame 2|. A stuffing. box

93 within the bearing and surrounding the shaft,

effects a liquid tight movable joint at this place. Oil or other liquid which is being run in the apparatus for filling into the cans may be introduced into the chamber enclosed by the housing 92 as by way of a liquid supply pipe 94. The chamber is kept completely lled while the apparatus is running and the oil passes up through the shaft 85 and completely fills the yreservoir g.

Again referring to feedingA a can into a turret pocket, it will be understood that the foremost can in the line, when presented by the arm 5|, to the rotating turret, is picked up by the pocket walls 83, 84 and is moved away from its position in the line on the conveyor belt 4I (see Fig. 5).

As soon as this can has cleared the remaining line of cans, the cam 1| draws the arm 5| back against the first can in the line of cans on the conveyor belt. This action is so timed that the can is caught before it has a chance to move very farA and thus denting of the body wall is avoided. The arm 5| then immediately is returned to its forward holding position placing its held canin position for the next turret pocket. This action is continued and successive cans are rapidly introduced into the machine.

When a can is fully s'eated'in the turret pocket .it is well supported in the rear and adjacent top cam and for this purpose an arm |04 is secured to the lower end of the shaft |02. This arm-carries a cam roller |06 (Fig. 3) which is moved in a two-walled cam track or cam. groove |08 formed in the upper face of the hub 24. The shape of this cam track is such as to provide the proper movement to bring the finger |0| into its holding position and then to hold the can throughout the filling operation.

The turret propelled can after leaving the arm 5| actuates the canV trip device f. Reference should now be had to Figs. 1, 2, 3,'4 and 5 which illustrate the various parts of this can trip de vice. A can trip finger I|| is the part engaged by the advancing can and this finger is pinned to the top of'a vertical shaft ||2 which'has oscillating movement within a bearing ||3 formed in the plate 23.

An arm I4 is also pinned to the shaft ||2 be-` |2| is extended outwardly from one side of the main frame and supports an2intermediate frame part |22. The latter frame is tied to the bracket |2| by a vertically disposed locking rod |23 (see also Fig. 3) and is formed with'a U section |24.

The rock shaft ||1 is mounted in lower and upper bearings |25, |26 both bearings being formed 'in the intermediate frame |22.

Frame |22 (Fig. 2) also provides a Support for both bottom' and top circular guide rails 46, 48A

the former being bolted to a lug |21, the latter to a similar 'lug |28 formed in the fraxne section |24. As hasT already been suggested the rails 46, 48 guide the can in its travels with the turret by cooperating with turret parts 83, 84 and with the holding finger |0|. These rails are also supported at two other places, in a second intermediate frame |3|` (Fig. 1) and in a third intermediate frame |32 (Figs. 1 and 6). These are carried by the main frame 2|.

Frame |3| may be carried on a. bracket similar in construction to the bracket |2|. Frame V|32 (Figs. 1 and 6) is carried on a boss |33 projecting upwardly from the web-section 62 of the main frame and is held in supported position by a locking rod |34. Projecting shelves |35, |36 extend inwardly from the frame |32 and support the circular guide rails 46, 48 this constituting the exit end support of the rails.

The rock shaft I1 (Fig. 2) of the can trip de- -vce f adjacent its top end carries an arm |45 which is adapted to engage the lower end (see also Fig. 8) of a latch finger |41 which is pivoted ona pin |48 carried in the bearing |26. The latchnger |41 constitutes an actuating member for the valve actuating instrumentalities k which will be hereinafter explained. vWhen the latch linger |41 is actuated by a can engaging the trip finger as has just been explained the finger is in the position illustrated in Fig. 2 where the lower or tail part of the finger is located in position for actuating the head valve 7'.

Latch finger |41 is normally in the position illustrated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2 and thus there will be no movement of the latch finger unless and'until a can is pocketed in the turret and moves past the trip finger preparatory to the filling operation. In order to normally hold this position of the latch finger there is provided a spring barrel '|5| which is forced against the upper part of the latch finger by a spring |52,

spring and barrel being confined within an open-- ing formed in a boss |53 which is an integral part of the intermediate frame section |24.

An adjustable compression of the spring is effected by an adjusting screw |54 which is threadedly enga-ged in the opening formed in the boss |53. A lock nut |55 may'be utilized to hold the screw |54 in locked position, When a can seated .in the turret engages the trip finger the latch nger |41 is set into the full line position of Fig. 2 and as soon as the lling head unit associated with the tripping can moves its head valve a' adjacent, the valve actuating instrumentalities lc start the discharge of liquid from the measuring chamber h as will now be described.

Each measuring chamber h is cylindrical in shape and is contained within a chamber hous- 'ing |6| (Figs. 1, 2, 8 and 11) which is formed as an integral part of the filling head housing 21. The drawings illustrate six of these chamber housings which are radially disposed with reference to the central shaft.85. The outer end of each chamber housing extends over and beyond the outer edge of the track 23. A housing or cylinder head |62 is bolted onto the outer end of `each housing and closes 011' the end thereof.

The outer end wall of each measuring chamber proper is formed by an adjustable wall part |63 which is a piston t having a sliding liquidtight engagement with the walls of the chamber. This adjustable Wall part is adapted to lielmoved relative to the cylinder head |62 and such movement alters the longitudinal dimensionof themeasuring chamber. This adjustment makes it possible to provide the desired cubical capacity for the measuring chamber and by the same token this controls the measured charge of liquid whichis to be filled into the cans.

|62. The bolt |64 is threaded in the cylinder head boss and its outer end is provided with a flat wrench part by means of which the bol may be turned.

Rotation of the bolt slides the wall element |63 in and out to locate it in its desired adjusted position after which the bolt is locked against further rotation by a lock nut |69 threadedly mounted thereon. A dowel pin |1| prevents turning of the wall part within 'the cylinder, this dowel pin extending inwardly from the cylinder head where it has loose sliding movement in a bore formed in the wall part.

Each measuring chamber h (Fig. 2) contains a measuring piston |14 which is adapted to be moved alternately from one end of the chamber to the other. When moved in either direction a measured charge of liquid is filled into a can. A movement in a single direction takes place in a single revolution of the turret member d and each movement comprises a full cycle of filling. For the next can to be lled from that particular lling head, the piston moves in the opposite direction within the measuring chamber and this constitutes a subsequent filling cycle.

The actual measuring capacity of that part of the measuring chamber which is used for each of the two cans rllled in the two piston movements is the same whether the 'measured charge of liquid is forced out of the measuring chamber by the inward or by the outwar-d piston travel. When the piston is at the extreme inner end of its travel it will be against the inner wall of the lling head housing and the actual effective measuring space of the chamber will then be between the outer Iface ofthe piston and the inner face of the wall part |63.. When the piston has moved to the outer end of its travel and is against the Wall |63 the actual effective measuring space will be that conned between the inner face of the piston and the inner housing wall of the chamber.

By means of this arrangement it is not only possible but most economical'to have the measuring chamber h completely filled with oil or other liquid being used in the machine and the volume of oil at all times present on both sides of the piston will equal in amount the capacity of the entire chamber confined between the inner face of the wall part |63 and the inner wall of the housing less the volume which is displaced by the piston. To change such gross capacity the wall part |63 is moved as hasY already been fully explained.

. 'I'he measuring pistonv |14 comprises two half pistons 115, |16 which are tied together by screws |11. Annular washers |18 of the pump leather type are formed with a' right angled cross section and the inwardly projecting flange part of each washed is clamped between thespiston members.

From the brief explanation'just made of the movement of the piston |14 to effecta measuring operation it will be evident that during such a movement the oil or other liquid is being discharged from one end of the chamber while oil is being forced into the opposite side. This arrangement requires numerous passageways or other openings in the filling head so that the oil will be delivered from the reservoir g as it is required by each individual filling head and in order to at all times keep the chamber filled regardless of the stage of lling. "The head valve :i is associated with such passageways and controls the passage of the liquid into and out of the'measuring chamber and this will now be considered in detail.

A head valve block (Figs. 2, 8 and 16) is mounted below each of the cylinder housings 6| and is securely bolted in position as by screws |86. This valve block is extended into a lower body part |81 through which a tapered valve seat opening |88 passes. 'Ihe active or movable part of each head valve a is formed as a conical member |9| which is seated in its' valve seat opening |88.

'I'he valve member |9| has four positions, two closed positions at which time all of the valve parts are blocked and two open positions each of which is associated with the lling of a can. In one open position communication is provided by way of ports in the valve between the reservoir g and the inner end of the measuring chamber. When in this open position communication is also made between' thev opposite or outer end of the measuring chamber by way oflports in the valve to the discharge valve chamber l. The valve member |9| makes-only a half turn during one lling cycle so that it passes through one open and one closed stage at such a time this being for one can.

In the second open position the valve connects certain passages leading between the reservoir and the outer end of the measuring chamber, this being at the next or at a later revolution for a succeeding can and in such a second position liquid is caused to ow from the inner end of the measuring chamber by way of ports in the valve to the discharge valve chamber l.

Each chamber housing |6| is formed on one side with a short inclined boss (Figs. 1 and 11) which provides increased stock through which an inclined passageway |96 leads down from the reservoir y. The lower end of the passageway is in direct communication with a vertically disposed leg |91 (see alsoFig. 17) of a right angled passageway formed in the head valve block |85 there being also a connecting horizontal section or leg |98 which extends to the valve seat opening |88.

The passageways |96, |91, |98 provide for delivery of the liquid from the reservoir g into the inner end of the measuring chamber h when the valve member |9| is in its first open position as terminates adjacent a port 204 which is cut in4 the lower wall of the measuring chamber housing and which is in connecting alignment with a tapered opening 205 formed in the inner end wall of the measuring chamber. With the valve part |9| so positioned, liquid will flow by reason of the pressurev maintained on the body of liquid, through the passageways |96, |91, |98 through the valve port 20| thence by way ofthe passages 202, 203 and ports 204, 205 into the inner end of the measuring chamber h.

The pressure exerted by the liquid within the reservoir moves the piston |14 along the chamber as has already been suggested. When the piston moves toward the left` (Fig. 2) liquid is discharged from the outer or left end of the measuring chamlike the opposite opening 205, provides for passage of liquid back of the plane of the face of the wall part. At its lower end the opening 206 communicates with a port 201 which is cut in the lower wall of the measuring chamber housing. Port 201 is at the end of a horizontal leg 208 of a right angled passageway formed in the block |85. A vertical leg 209 of this passageway leads to the valve seat |88.

The valve |9| in its first open position now being considered is located with a longitudinal port sector 2|| adjacent the top, one end of this port being in communication with the lower end of the vertical passageway 209. The opposite end of the port sector (see also Fig. 18) communicates with a vertical leg 212 of a passageway which also extends as a horizontal section 2|3, these being formed in the valve block |85.

The horizontal leg 2 3 is at all times in communication with a port 2|4 which is formed in the side wall of a can valve nozzle housing 2|5'(Figs. 1, 8, 11 and 18). This nozzle housing is tubular in shape and is mounted alongside of each valve chamber housing |6| being securely held in position by a holding plate 2|6 bolted to the housing as at 2|1.

As the piston |14 moves toward the left (Fig. 2) the measured chargeoi liquid contained within the measuring chamber space, between the forward face of the piston and the end wall member |63, is forced out through the ports 206, 201, passageways 208, 209, valve port 2I| and passageways 2|2, 2|3 and thence into the discharge valve chamber Z. From the chamber Z the liquid discharges into the can. This further ac- 1 tion, being under the control of the can valve m which has not yet been described in detail, will be explained hereinafter.

While the measured charge of liquid is passing out of the measuring chamber, the propelling liquid entering behind and acting upon theadvancing piston |14 is maintaining the chamber illled with liquid. By the time the piston reaches the end of its stroke (this being at the extreme left when'viewed as in Fig. 2), the newly lled space between the inner end wall of the chamber and the piston becomes the new eiective measuring chamber and the liquid therein is of an exact predetermined quantity.

In the next lling operation of the measuring chamber h, therefore, the ow of liquid into and out of the cylinder will be reversed, this reversal of conditions being brought about bya change in position of the valve part |9l. Upon the piston |14 reaching this left hand position at the end of its stroke, the valve part |9| is immediately moved through 90 (counter-clockwise as viewed inFigs. 17, 18, 19 and 20) bringing it into its rst shut position (Fig. 20). In such closed position the passageways 2|2, 2|3 are blocked off and no further liquid enters into the discharge valve chamber l. Itis at the same time that the can valve m closes so therefore the discharge chamber remains fllled with liquid ready for immediate flow into a subsequent can. While so closed the filled can is discharged.

The valvemember |9| when moved into its second open position is turned through al1-additional 90. This takes place, however, -in another revolution of the turret member and with another can and will next be considered. On the side of each housing I 6|, that is opposite to the short inclined boss |95, there is provided a long Ainto the slot 245 of the valve member -|9|.

inclined boss 22| (Fig. 1) which provides increased stock through which an inclined passageway 222 leads'from the reservoir g'. The lower end of this inclined passageway is in direct communication with a vertically disposed leg 223 (see also Fig. 19) of a right angled passageway formed in the head valve block |85 this passageway also having a horizontal section or leg 224 which extends intothe valve seat opening |88.

The valve member |9| is provided with a right angle port 225 (Figs. 2 and 19) this port being formed in the larger end of the tapered valve section. With the valve in its second open position, now being considered, the valve port 225 connects the end of the pasageway 224 with the vertical passageway leg 209 thus opening the way through the passageway leg 208 and ports 201, 206 and with the outer end of the measuring chamber. The reservoir liquid under pressure now eiective by way of these pasageways and ports presses against the outer face of the piston |14 and causes it to move from its extreme outer position within the measuring chamber toward flowinto the discharge chamber l along the same course as previouslyv described for the filling of a preceding can. The complete discharge of the measured liquid from within the measuring chamber is followed by the next Ymovement of the valve part. |9|, through a third ,quadrant bringing it into its second shut position, this being the position illustratedin Fig. 2l. It will be observed that the passageway |98 and also .the passageway 202 are again blocked oil? and no further flow of liquid takes place while the valve remains in this position.

The valve actuating instrumentalities 1c which operate to turn the head valve member |9| through its various positions will now be considered and reference should be hadV to Figs. 2,

8 and 16. -Each head valve member |9| is slotted at 245 this being at the large end of the valve member and outside of the valve seat. This slot shaft 25| which is rotatably mounted in axial alignment with the valve member |9| and in a support block 252, the latter being bolted at 253 to the head valve block |85. The shaft 25| is formed with a. flat head 255 which extends beyond the inner end of the block 252 and projects This provides a. exible connection so that turning of the shaft will ell'ect a. corresponding rotation of the head valve.

Liquid-tight contact is formed between the valve and the valve seat by reason of the tapered |41 which has been rocked into valve actuating position (Fig. 2) by the can trip device f. It is this flnger which causes turning of the shaft to establish the two open positions of the valve member 19|. Shaft 25| carries a four fingered starwheel 26| (Figs. 2, 8, 9 and 10) which is mounted on the outer end of the shaft and is held in place by washer and screw elements 262.

'I'he starwheel 26| is formed with two oppositely disposed outer iingers 263, 264 and similarly shaped inner fingers 265, 266. When a can is first brought into the apparatus and located for filling in one of the filling head units and within the turret member d, thc starwheel 26| associated therewith is'iirst engaged by the iinger |41 and is moved through its rst 90. This engagement is between the finger |41 and the starwheel finger 263 when considering the setting illustrated by Fig. 8 which shows the position of the parts after the iirst valve movement. The head valve |9| which is in closed position when the can is received is thus moved into its rst open position for the discharge of liquid from the measuring chamber and for the lling of this liquid into the can.

l each of the four positions of the shaft*` 25|, it and the starwheel 26| are locked against inadvertent movement and until it is the proper time for the next valve shift. For this purpose a locking plate l261 is mounted on the shaft 25| and is keyed thereto, this plate being positioned just inside of the starwheel 26|'. Locking plate 261 is formed with four straight sides and the corners connecting adjacent sides are rounded as illustrated in the drawings.

A circular rail 268 is utilized to hold the locking plate in each of its four positions, a straight side of the plate at all times moving along the bottom edge of the rail. This rail is preferably formed with a right angle cross section (Fig. 2) and is supported in a iixed position on the frame part |22 to which it is bolted as at269 (Figs.` 1 and 2) and on the intermediate frames |3|, |32 to which it isbolted as at 210 and 21| (Fig. 1')

Adjacent the actuating linger |41 the bottom edge of the rail 268 is relieved in a notch 212 (Fig. 8) and this permits the corner of the lock-` ing plate 261 to swing up and pass Within the notch during the rotation of the shaft as effected by engagement of the nger 263 with the linger |41. As soon as the shaft, valve and starwheel,

however, has been moved the full 90 they have been carried beyond the notch 212 whereupon the newly presented straight side,l of the locking plate 261 slides along the bottom edge oi' the rail 268 thus holdingthe movable parts in their actuated' *Y position.

Turning of the shaft-25| also effects the opening and closing of the can valve m located in the associated discharge valve chamber l.- For this Vpurpose eachshaft 25| ycarries acam block'215 (Figs. 2,' 8 and 11) which is keyed to the shaft on its projecting inner end. This cam block is formed with two projecting surfaces 216 each of which is adapted at certain times to engage instrumentalities associated with the actuation of .Y Athe can valve m bearing 284' formed in an inner casing 285 located in the valve housing 2 |5 and restricting the size of the discharge valve chamber. box 286 is provided for bearing 283 so that liquid within the chamber will not escape around the valve stem. The upper end of the valve stem 282 is also slidably retained in an additional bearing provided by 'a threaded ynut member 281 threadedly secured in the top of the valve nozzle housing 2|5.

The valve head 28| and valve stem 282 are normally held in lowered or closed position (Fig. 14) on a valve seat 288 which is formed in a nozzle cap 289 threadedly secured to the lower end of the valve housing 2 I5. This holding of the valve head in seated position is eiected by a spring 290 which surrounds the valve stem 282 and is interposed between the lower end of the nut 281 and an enlarged middle section of the valve stem. To fill a can it is necessary to raise the valve stem 282 and itsvalve 28| into the position illustrated in Fig. 11 and this is eiected by the cam 215 in the following manner.

The valve stem282 at its upper end passes through a slot 29| formed in a slide 292 (Figs. 8 and 11) which is mounted alongside of the valve nozzle housing and is retained in slideways formed by side plates or gibs 293 secured to the housing 2|5. The upper end of the valve stem 282 is threaded and lock nuts 294 provide a stop which is engaged when the slide 292 is raised.

The slide 292 carries a pin 295 which provides a pivoted connection for the upper end of a strap 296, thev lower end being pivotally connected at 291 with one arm of a bell crank lever 298 which is mounted for oscillation on a stud 299 carried in the valve housing 2I5. The opposite arm of the bell crank lever carries a cam roller 30| which rides against the periphery of the cam 215.l

When the shaft 25| is rst actuated and its star-wheel 26| is brought into the iirst valve open position shown in Fig. 8, one of the cam projections 216 forces againstthe roller 30| and rocks the bell crank lever 298. This liftsthe strap 296 and the slide 292 which in turn' raises the valve stem 282 and the valve head 28| from its seat 286. This forms an opening in the bot- A stuiing tom of the discharge chamber l as shown in Fig. 11 and the liquid discharges into the can, this lifting of the cam valve m being simultaneous with the opening of the head valve |9| the liquid thus iiowing from the measuring chamber by Way of the discharge chamber l.4

After-lling, the head valve |9| is moved to its .off position and the valve 28| is closed this being the second 90 of movement of the starwheel 26| the turning of the starwheel being illustrated in Fig. 9.- A stationary block 305 (see also Fig. 1) is bolted to the under side of the circula:` rail 268 and the filling head unit being Y'considered now 'passes this position. Ther finger 265 of the starwheel 26| strikes against the block 305 (Fig. 9) and the starwheel is vthus moved the 90 .of its rotation.

At the same time' the corner of the locking -plate' 261 passes adjacent and moves through a slot 306 formed in the bottom edge of the circular rail the locking function of the plate 261 then being nullied. Also at the same time the pro-I jection 216 of the ca m 215 moves out of engagement With'the roller 30| whereupon the spring 290 returns the valve 28| into its closed position. As soon as this closing of valves takes place the non-drip suction device n is brought into play and this will next be described.

1 with the roller 38|.

eiected by engagement between the block 305.

quadrant movements of the valve are brought about in the same manner and on a subsequent revolution of the turret.. For the second open position of the valve, the 90 of movement is brought about by engagement of the finger |41 and the starwheel nger 264 and valve m is actu' ated by the other cam projection 216 engaging The closed valve position is slot 3|| and the aperture 3|2 of the valve stem. The dn'p shield 3|3 is conical in form and whenV screwed into position within the valve head there is provided an annular clearance space 3| 5 which communicates at its lower end with the outside of the valve head and at the inside with-the slot 3| formed therein.

The valve nozzle housing 2|5 above the bearing 283 is open along its central axis where it surrounds the valve stem and this provides a suction chamber 3|6 (Figs. 11 and 14) A transverse port 3|1 is cut through the valve stem 282 from' both sides and this port intercepts the central aperture 3I2 and Iopens out into this suction chamber. A port 3|8 extends through the nozzle housing and its inner en'd opens' into the suction chamber. This port joins with a vertically disposed port 3|8 also formed in the housing. The port 3|9 at its upper end communicates with the inside of a curved pipe 32|, the upper end of which is threadedly engaged in an upper head ring 322 formed in the cover member 29. There is only one head ring but there are as many pipes 32| as there are iilling heads.

A suction head 323 (Figs. 8, 11, 12 and 13) is mounted on the head ring 322 and is secured in place by screws 324, this part, therefore, rotating at all times with the lling heads, the reservoir and other associated rotatable parts of the apparatus. Each pipe 32| at its upper end opens into a port 325 formed in the head ring 322and is in constant communication with the lower end of a vertical port 326 cut in the suction head.

It is the associated port 326 of each illirlsr head that is selectively opened up to a vacuum condition at the time that the can valve mA shuts oi the ow of liquid into the can being filled. The resulting non-drip function thereupon operates and anyextraneous liquid is removed from the filling nozzle.

The suction head 323 is provided witlr a central opening 33| and a stationary tubular member 332 extends into and through the opening 33 The lower end of the tubular member has a flange 333 which engages under the bottom of the suction head 323, a stung box 334 being provided to prevent leakage of air through the joint within the rotating seat of the suction head. The tubular member central opening as at 335 connects above with a pipe 338 which,leads from any suitable source of vacuum as from a vacuum pump or tank not shown.

The head ring 322 of the reservoir cover member 29 is provided with a drip chamber 33 1 and the tubular member 332 opens this chamber at all times to direct communication with the source It should be evident that the third and fomth of vacuum from the pipe 336. Any extraneous liquid which may adhere to the valve head 28| or nozzle parts is drawn up through the space 3|5 -and into the slot 3|| of the valve and thence by'way of the bore 312, the ports 3|1, chamber 3|6, ports 3|8, 3|9 and pipes 32| through the openings 325, 326. and thence into the suction chamber 331 where it drops down to the bottom of the chamber. At stated intervals this suction chamber may be blown out or otherwise emptied.

The selective connecting of a port 326 with the suction chamber is effected by a suction valve device which includes the rotating suction head 323 and a stationary valve plate 34| (Figs. 11, 12 and 13). The valve plate 34| is mounted on the tubular member 332 and is backed up by a disc 342 and is pressed down against the upper surface .of the suction head 323 in an airtight joint, lock nuts 343 being threadedly secured to the upper end of the tubular member 332 fo this purpose.

When communication is made between the uppergndvof a port, 326 and the suction chamber 331, tliiport is moved into register with an arcuate slot 345 formed in the stationary plate 34| as shown to the left in Fig. 12. The plate 34| is also formed with an inner circular channel 346 which communicates at all times by means g2 connecting passage 341 with the arcuate slot 5. in communication with the upper ends of tapered ports 348 (Figs. 12 and 13) formed in the suction head 3 23, the lower end of each port opening out into the top of the chamber 331.

By means of this constructionl suction is applied at all times to the central channel 346 and in the arcuate slot of the valve plate 34| by way of the ports 348, suction chamber 331 and tubular member332, and as soon as a port 326 is brought into communication with the arcuate slot 345 the air is withdrawn from the various ports and other passages together `With any entrained liquid which may be brought up froml by the discharge device p which is shown in some detail in Figs. 3 and 6. The can still retained in the turret pocket is swept from the stationary support table 23 and is brought onto the surface of a constantly revolving discharge disc 35| which is carried on the upper end of the vertical shaft 12. is shown to the upper left of Fig. 3. Immediately following this the finger |I|| is retracted as the can continues around its circular path under action of the turret.

During the transfer to the circular disc 35|, the can is kept in its turret pocket by the circular guide rails 46, 48. Both rails terminate substantially on a linejoining the centers of the shaft 12 and the tubular member 85', the terminal ends ofthe respective rails 48, 48 being designated by The circular channel 346 is at all times This transfer from table to disc i numeral 352 (Figs. 3 and 6) and the numeral of the disc 35|. Rail 354 is mounted on the spider web frame 15. 'Rail 355 is carried on spacer rods 356 which are passed through the 'rail 354 and are threaded into the web frame 15.

aissgaol 'lliiese circular ,rails 35i, l355 wedge the can out from its turret pocket and spaced discharge ngers 351 carried on a hub 358 thereupon engage back of the can and together with the disc 35i carry it around a circular path of travel as guided by the rails 354, 355 and remove they can from the machine. The hub is mounted on the I upper end of the shaft l2 and turns with it.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description,.and it will be apparent that various changes maybe made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the f orm hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof,

We claim:

ll. In a machine for lling liquids into cans,

the combination of a filling head having a measuring chamber and ,also having al discharge chamber, a reservoir for containing a filling liquid, means for supplying said reservoir with liquid', a discharge piston located insaid measure I taneously moving said can and head valves to edect iiow of the filling4 liquid into said measuring chamber rwhile liquid is passing .from said chamberA into the positioned can. f

2. In a machine for lling liquids into cans, the combination of a filling head having a measfuring chamber, means for positioning a can beneath said measuring chamber, means for supplying said chamber with liquid under pressure, a discharge piston located in said measuring chamber, a head valve mounted in said filling head adjacent said chamber for opening communication at one end of said measuring chamber with said positioned can to be lled and for opening communication with the other end of the chamber with said liquid supplying means, a can valve also mountedin said iilling/head and interposed between the can to be iilled and the said head valve, the iilling liquid moving said discharge piston to force out a measured charge of liquid from said measuring chamber, control means for operating'said head and said can valves in cooperation with said piston moving means to insure delivery of a predetermined measured charge of liquid into said can, and a no-can-no-fill trip device for setting said valve control means for operation only in the event that said can is properly positioned for iilling.

3.In a machine for filling liquids into cans, the combination of a centrally disposed liquid reservoir, a rotatable lling head having a measluring chamberl extending radially outwardly from said reservoir, means for bodily rotating said filling head in a circular path of travel, means for supplying said chamber with liquid un der pressure, a 'discharge piston located in said measuring chamber, a head valve mounted in said filling head adjacent said chamber for opening communication between one end of said measuring chamber 4anda can to be iilled and for opening communication between the other end of the chamber and a supply of filling liquid, a can valve also mounted in said filling head and interposed between the can to be iilled andt the said head valve for controlling the passage of the liquid into the can, the'liquid to be filled moving said discharge piston to force out a measured charge of liquid from said measuring chamber, and control` means for operating said head and can valves to eilect delivery of a predetermined measured charge of liquid into saidl can. 4

4. In a machine for lling liquids into cans, the combination of a centrally disposed reservoir,

` a lling head having a measuring chamber extending radially outwardlyirom said reservoir, means for supplying to said chamber liquid to be lled, devices for feeding a can tobe lled into lling position adjacent said filling head, a vdischarge piston located in said measuring chamber, valve means in said iilling head interposed between said positioned can and said measuring chamber for opening communication between one end of said measuring chamber and said positioned can, said discharge piston being adapted to be moved-v radially of said reservoir by the pressure of the liquid to be iilled toward that end of said measuring chamber which is in communication with said can to force out a preceding measured charge of liquid into said can, and air suction means arranged withinvthe parts which contain the iilling liquid or material and acting to withdraw extraneous drips of the latter int? the filling devices. 

